Bangladesh need more ‘responsibility’ to survive at World Cup

CHENNAI (AFP): Bangladesh need to start batting with more “responsibility” if they are to keep their World Cup hopes alive, said vice-captain Najmul Hossain Shanto.

Bangladesh slumped to an eight-wicket defeat to New Zealand on Friday, their second loss in three games at the tournament.

In defeats to England and the Kiwis, which followed an opening win over Afghanistan, they failed to post totals higher than the 245 they made on Friday.

Nine times in their last 11 innings, Bangladesh have lost at least four wickets before putting 100 runs on the board.

On Friday, they struggled again, slipping to 56-4 before veterans Mushfiqur Rahim (66) and skipper Shakib Al Hasan (40) helped them post a total of 245.

New Zealand chased it down with 43 balls to spare.

“There will be definitely challenges for the top order with the new ball. That’s why we bat at the top order. So it is our responsibility,” said Najmul who made only seven on Friday.

“Everyone knows everyone’s role, but we should bat with a bit more responsibility.”

However, nobody told experienced opener Liton Das who decided to celebrate his 29th birthday by charging down the wicket to the first ball of the day from Trent Boult and skied an easy catch into the deep.

“Did I see him do it? No, not really. It all happened very quickly,” said Boult.

“He had a plan today to be aggressive and I was lucky enough to come on the right side of it.”

Despite the defeat, Najmul insists Bangladesh can still squeeze into the semi-finals.

“I think one good match will change the whole environment,” he said.